by Mary Knippel

Every day is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day at Bearly Worn Children’s Store in Pacifica’s Manor Shopping Center. The store’s owner, Teri Strelchun, uses a unique business model which combines raising her family with serving the community. “My customers have been very supportive of Bearly Worn being a family-owned and family-employed business. … Green shopping is really a community effort in which we all work together. Our business exists because our customers make the effort to put recycling before convenience.”

“It’s not about beating out a retail store,” Strelchun said as she gently coaxed her 3 ½ year-old daughter off the child-size table where we were chatting. “It’s about our commitment to the community … [that] wants an affordable and earth-friendly way to shop.” This is not your typical shopping experience because the employees are combining        parenting with retail employment.

“My brain was hungry to do more than the playground shuffle,” Strelchun said about her decision to buy the used children’s clothing store that came up for sale 2 ½ years ago, just shortly after the family moved from San Francisco to Pacifica. “I was taking a break from freelancing as a graphic designer because it was a struggle working at the computer and watching children at the same time. I decided the store would be a great way to settle in to our new home. And I wanted to talk. I wanted to talk to adults and not just be with children all day long.”

Bearly Worn offers a variety of shoes and clothing for newborns to size 7. The store also carries art supplies, children’s toys, and puzzles — as well as baby gear such as strollers, baby carriers, nursery furniture, baby bottles and bedding. Merchandise in the store is a mixture of new and gently used. While there are many consignment items, because they are fortunate enough to have the floor space for furniture, Strelchun said, “I will also buy used clothing and offer a choice of cash or store credit. We also keep a wish list of items that customers are seeking.”

“This is the best of both worlds,” Strelchun said. “I don’t have to put my two children in day care and I have a job that satisfies me. It’s challenging. I’m in the adult world and I can have my children with me. When my daughter was younger, customers offered to let me finish nursing her before ringing up a sale, or watched patiently as I dashed her off to the bathroom while potty training. When customers see   my daughter nap, they whisper in the store! It truly makes me believe I am raising my family in a village that cares. I hear daily from folks who tell me they’re so thankful the business is here, and the feeling is mutual. I’m so thankful they are part of our community.”

Strelchun’s passion for recycled clothing and furniture continues a legacy she grew up with. “One thing I’d like to encourage people to do more of,” Strelchun said, “is to recycle gifts. I’m seeing people requesting used equipment for their baby showers. They are actually taking my business card, putting it in their baby shower invitation and asking family and friends to try getting it used first. It makes me feel really good that I’m here and able to do this. We work really hard to help our customers select used items that look new.”

Currently, store hours are limited, but Strelchun hopes that as the employee base grows, so will the hours the store is open. Rather than going to a big box store, consider calling 650-355-5089 to see if Bearly Worn has a particular item in stock. Visit the store on the Web at www.bearlywornpacifica.com.